According to rumors, Lisha was the weakest member of Damian's team often bullied, ordered around, and hardly ever mentioned when people spoke of the proud "Dominion Squad."
A faint flicker of pity rose in Aria's chest.
What a miserable life… being stuck with those people.
But Lisha didn't look weak at all. Without saying a single word, she gritted her teeth, tightened her grip on her sword, and dashed straight toward Aria.
A flash of steel cut through the air like lightning.
On the giant display board, Aria noticed that Lisha possessed Level 7 Water-type mana, one star higher than her.
"So what if you're one star higher?" Aria smirked, lips curling with arrogance: "Apologies, but the winner today… will be me."
She raised her hand, channeling mana.
"Ice Spikes!"
Countless sharp icicle spikes rained down like a storm of frozen arrows.
Lisha dodged with swift movements, then counterattacked with swirling water-infused sword slashes.
Aria cracked her whip, the air whistled with every strike, blocking each incoming blow.
But Lisha's pressure was overwhelming. Each clash forced Aria back, step by step, toward the edge of the arena.
"Damn it…"
Aria gritted her teeth, flipped backward away from the boundary, then lashed her whip with all her strength, creating a shimmering trail of ice in retaliation.
The two clashed nonstop, driving the audience wild with excitement.
"Oh my, ladies and gentlemen! What an intense, evenly matched battle! Who will take the victory Aria of Team Shooting Star or Lisha of Overlord?!"
Over in Overlord's seats, Damian crossed his arms and scoffed: "Of course victory belongs to us. Idiots."
Michael kept quiet, his eyes cold yet fixed intently on Aria something unreadable flickering beneath the surface.
Everen too remained silent, his dark eyes shifting as if calculating something deep and dangerous.
Down on the arena floor, Aria began realizing she was falling behind.
No way…
There's no way I can lose here.
She bit her lip. The ring on her finger glimmered. Instantly, a surge of holy power burst outward, forming a blazing magic circle.
From within that radiant glow, a breathtaking creature emerged, the Froststorm Beast, a 4-star Sacred Beast.
Its pristine white fur, gem-like blue eyes, and thunder-tipped fangs stole the breath from every spectator.
A Level 6 warrior summoning a 4-star Sacred Beast, an incredibly rare feat.
Aria had planned to save this trump card for later, but she no longer had a choice.
Not to be outdone, Lisha summoned her own hidden ace, the Tide Serpent, a four-meter-long water serpent covered in shimmering scales, both majestic and terrifying.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have two 4-star Sacred Beasts on the field! This is a historic battle!"
The crowd erupted like a thunderstorm.
Mira shot to her feet, eyes sparkling. "Wow! Big sis Aria summoned a Sacred Beast! That's amazing!"
Kyran only clenched his fists tightly, quietly praying: "Please… let her win…"
Below them, the two Sacred Beasts roared, lightning and water crashing violently against each other. The battle dragged on, draining both creatures of their strength.
Aria needed her beast to recover fast, if she wanted to keep fighting.
With no choice left, she grabbed her own finger, bit down, and let several drops of blood fall onto her beast.
"Drink it… then finish that thing off for me."
The creature roared, its entire body bursting with icy electric light, before lunging forward and tearing the Tide Serpent apart.
The arena exploded with noise.
Lisha froze in shock.
Aria seized the moment, commanding her beast to attack the opponent's master.
Lisha raised multiple layered barriers, but the Froststorm Beast's fangs tore through them all.
She collapsed onto the ground unable to stand.
The referee lifted his hand.
"The winner is Aria Ice Lumerious of Team Shooting Star!"
The cheers shook the stadium.
Mira jumped up and grabbed Kyran's arm, squealing: "Kyran! We won! We actually won!"
Kyran smiled faintly. It felt as if his prayers had been answered.
On the scoreboard: Shooting Star – 1 : 2 – Overlord.
Kyran thought to himself: "Just two more wins… and everything can turn around."
The next match was the one the entire audience had been waiting for Mira Caster of Starfall vs. Everen Fredrick of Dominion.
Most believed Mira would lose instantly.
How could a small Level 4 girl stand against a terrifying genius like Everen?
But they had no idea how much she had struggled to stand on this stage.
Mira stepped into the arena, hands trembling, heart pounding in her chest.
Across from her, Everen stood still strangely calm.
His usual arrogance had vanished completely, replaced by something…
Everen lifted his head toward the blue sky, letting out a soft sigh.
A voice deeper than the darkness itself broke the silence: "This feeling… is quite strange, isn't it?"
Mira blinked, startled: "Uh… what do you mean? I'm probably too… dumb to understand."
Everen chuckled quietly: "It's nothing. Just that… this moment feels worth engraving into my very soul."
Mira frowned, staring at him: "Engraved… into your soul?"
But Everen's eyes were different no longer arrogant, no longer disdainful.
Only a faint, impossible softness remained.
"Mira…" His voice suddenly dropped to a low murmur.
"I want to ask you do you truly wish to win… or lose this match?"
The question stunned her.
"O-of course I… I want to win!" she stammered, her voice unsteady: "I… I can't lose here!"
The referee had called "Begin!" long ago, yet neither had moved. The crowd was beginning to murmur.
Kyran frowned, eyes fixed on Everen.
Why isn't he attacking?
From Dominion's side, Damian let out a mocking laugh.
"Ha! No way Lord Everen would go easy on that weak little brat!"
Yet a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes.
He suddenly bolted upright, face twisting, panic creeping into his voice.
"No… wait don't tell me he actually intends to…?!"
On the arena floor, Mira trembled, heart beating wildly.
Why… why wasn't he attacking?
Everen sighed softly. He lifted his gaze to Mira and spoke slowly: "In the end… there is no way for me to win. No matter how hard I try, the result will never change."
Mira narrowed her eyes.
"It's just that…" Everen paused, his voice dropping to a near whisper.
"If you want victory that desperately… then go ahead… attack me."